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Igniting the Entrepreneurial SpiritIslam’s role in reviving the global economyBy the Editorial Board

The tradition among most modern Muslim families is to expect their children to be the best students, ultimately pursing a careering in Engineering, M e d i c i n e , o r e ve n L a w. Although all three are noble professions, many Muslim youth often wonder the motivations behind such advice. Is it to secure the best job with the highest salary, convey a sense of prestige in society, or simply the career path that the parents themselves pursued?

With the worst g lobal economic crisis since the Great Depression, many once-lucrative career paths seem lackluster. Medical Resident salaries have been cut, many engineers have been laid off, while lawyers are

struggling to find positions w i t h i n t o p fi r m s . W h a t happened to all that advice?

It’s times like these when the world truly needs creative, dynamic minds which create and seize opportunities. It requires thinking beyond one’s c u r ren t s i t u a t i o n , a n d a motivation to change the world for the better. That’s where entrepreneurship comes in.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a profitable entrepreneur whose honesty and fairness in trade was heralded throughout Arabia, and attracted Khadijah (ra) for marriage.

Abu Bakr (ra) was a wealthy entrepreneur who controlled one of the largest networks of

clothing industries during his time.

Uthman (ra) was a generous entrepreneur whose economic reforms during his caliphate made the Islamic empire one of the most powerful in the world.

As we can see, our original l e a d e r s u n d e r s t o o d t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f fi n a n c i a l independence, by actuating our p a s s i o n s i n t o p r o fi t a b l e businesses. It’s the combination of strong morals, vision, and a strong financial knowledge through entrepreneurship, that allowed Islam to flourish. It’s often the wealthy entrepreneurs that donate the most, convey a positive image of Islam, and change the world for the better.

continued on pg. 9...

Quarterly HadithProphet Muhammad (pbuh) said: An honest businessman shall be in the throne of Allah. (Al-Isbihani)

THEAMDAHORIZONVo

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The exclusive, quarterly newsletter of AMDA American Muslim Diversity Association

Mission StatementTo establish a comprehensive organization promoting Islamic values, encouraging dialogue, and serving the needs of a diverse Muslim community.

www.amda.usEditorial BoardMuhammad Azim

Hafiz RahmanMd. Shahnoor Amin

Board of Advisors:Imam Dr. Achmat SalieBr. Redwanuddin

Board of Trustees:Br. Nurul AminBr. Moin Asjad Br. Muhammad AzimBr. Ferdous GhaziSr. Rubab F. HuqBr. Anwar HussainBr. Moududur RahmanSr. Tahsin Asjad

Board of Representatives:Br. Rafique FoflonkerBr. Kamrul HasanBr. Mujibus KhanBr. Dulal MostafaBr. Hafizur RahmanSr. Lutfunnessa P. Shafi

Azim Premji

Imran Hakim

Fadzuli Wahab

MuhammadYunus

Prince Alwaleed

Amna Bin Hendi

Salma Hareb

Shown rightProminent modern Muslim

Entrepreneurs

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DiversityWithin IslamBy Anwarul Islam

Many years ago, in the month of Ramadan, I was in Baitul Mukarram Masjid in Dhaka, Bangladesh for a Jummah Prayer. By the time I was done and managed to get out that compound, I was in a sour mood and disappointed with myself for my lack of savvy in dealing with the situation. I was berated for not turning off the faucet my previous brother had left running while I was waiting my turn to make wudu. I was at fault for not carrying my shoe correctly, not having folded my pants above my ankle, not having a cap, and for many other minor violations. Needless to say that some of the fault finders were outright rude and very disappointed by my clumsiness. I was disappointed in myself too.

Can that type of encounters simply happen in Bangladesh in that p a r t i c u l a r f a m o u s M a s j i d i n Bangladesh and can it happen at any other Masjid? Needless to say that it can happen anywhere. Ask a new convert about his or her experience in the Masjid after his or her Shahada, or ask about an only so modestly-dressed young girl’s trip to a Masjid and you will understand what I am talking about. Islamic advisers spring up in Masj ids l ike forec losed p r o p e r t i e s i n a d e p r e s s e d neighborhood. And as a result of their presence, an “awkward” Muslim’s next trip to the Masjid becomes a rarity.

There is no doubt that we like to find fault with our fellow Muslims quite often and are not shy to point those faults out. But in the process of doing so, we create more tension. So instead of correcting the faults of our fellow Muslims we push them away. There are many discussions about

religious diversity, but the context is always Islam’s interaction with other religions or with broader society. Similar discussions need to happen to understand the diversity within Islam.

Some basic facts need to be thought about. Firstly Allah (SWT) has made us all different. Secondly, with all the differences we still need to be united as ordained by our Creator. ‘And hold fast, all together, unto the bond with God, and do not draw apart from one another (Imran:103).’ Thirdly, some of the differences we see are not things we need to worry about. Fourthly, we have more in common than we l ike to acknowledge. Unfortunately, we are finding more ways to divide ourselves these days; cultural baggage, not the teachings of Islam, put us in straitjackets all too often.

Naturally we find comfort within our own kinds. The languages we speak, the food we eat, our choice in attire, or even the color of our skin makes us d i s t inct . But our overreaching obedience to our Creator should make those distinctions merely a manner by which we are

known to one another as Allah (SWT) told us in the Quran (Hujurat:13):’O men! Behold, We have created you all out of a male and a female, and have made you into nations and tribes, so that you might come to know one another. Verily, the noblest of you in the sight of God is the one who is most deeply conscious of Him. Behold, God is all-knowing, all-aware.’

There are also other differences amongst us and those come in the form of the priorities we set for ourselves. Some of us are building Masjids, some of us working for the education of our children, some of us work with orphans and the poor in distant lands, some of us are memorizing Quran, and some of us are fighting against occupation, oppression and injustice in their countries of origin.

The key here is not to impose our own priorities on others and to not feel disappointed if others do not agree with our priorities. “You are not an enforcer over them” (Ghashiya: 22). If Allah (SWT) did not send his Prophet to become a dictator in dealing with his fellow human beings , do any of us

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0Muslims on Capitol Hill

Shown left, 50,000 American Muslims from diverse backgrounds congregate to pray in front of Capitol Hill on September 25th, 2009

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want to take up that role?“Islam is not as monolithic as we like to think.” We

are hearing this type of statement quite often these days, especially here in the USA, and we need to understand it if we want to meet its intent. If it means that there are many shades and stripes of Islam then we have to reject it as wrong, but if it wants to convey that there are many ways we might understand or interpret the teachings of Islam or even implement Islam in our personal lives, then we can go somewhere. This might sound contradictory, but it is not. There are certain necessary things about Islam which we cannot compromise, but there are less important items which we can pay less attention if we choose to. Needless to say, most of our quarrels are about the issues we might choose to ignore.

However, the intent of understanding diversity within Islam is not to find loopholes and water down its teachings to fit into certain personal or collective circumstances. Other religions have tried that approach and we can see the outcome all around us. Faith must be assertive, otherwise it will become a dogma or movement or philosophical thought, just like so many other flavor of the day ideologies the world. There is no Cafeteria Islam where we can just pick and choose the things we intend to eat.

However, we all know that in real life sorting out the priorities is not as easy as we like to think. Problems come too often from our personal or collective egos, which cloud the judgment of our better selves.

We know the different roles played by different companions during the life time of our Prophet. Some of

them were reciters, some of them were warriors, some of them were educators, some of them were linguists, some of them were good administrators, some of them were good Muzzain, and some of them even had the seasoned nerve to be good spies. Would it be wise on our part to prioritize the role of the companions based on the role they played in serving their Deen? Of course not. So why are we so quick to label and criticize our fellow Muslims in terms of the priorities they set, and thus find a way to divide ourselves?

Time and again we see that human existence is too fragile to be left to only our own devices. We can see that the most powerful, wealthy and technologically advanced country in the world can lose its way if some simple truths, which our religion has taught us, are sidestepped.

So Muslims need to carry the message of hope for all of us. For the unity of Muslims is a necessity, as is the understanding that diversity for unity is paramount now more so than any other time in our history. Islam is about utmost sincerity to God and mercy to His creation, as one scholar summarized for us. Remember Allah (SWT) told us in the Quran (Imran: 110):

Your are indeed the best community that has ever been brought forth for [the good of] mankind: you enjoin the doing of what is right and forbid the doing of what is wrong, and you believe in God. Now if the followers of earlier revelation had attained to [this kind of] faith, it would have been for their own good; [but only few] among them are believers, while most of them are iniquitous.

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Shown left, Muslim women in China conveying their faith

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Individuals are joining Islam from diverse backgrounds, with a bright hope of unity

Today, it is a pity to find in the Muslim world, contradictions in the basic teaching of Islam. In spite of the fact that Islam stands for unity and justice, we see our people divided. They hate one another; they kill; they strangle; they shoot; and they hang one another; they persecute, torture one another.They hold no respect for each others point of view; They fail to realize that in order to have unity in their diversities, they have to understand one another, they have to respect one another, tolerate one another, and live in harmony as one Muslim community.

We should recognize that we constitute a diversified group. We have come from different national, political and economic systems with differences in languages, behavior patterns and characters; we are different in our ways of thinking; we are different in our ways actions and reactions; we differ in handling of the same problem and situation; we differ in our ages and our economic situations and while all of us have knowledge and learning, we differ in these too.

Most of those who hold power in the Muslim countries have been educated in the West. They have unfortunately not had the privilege and pleasure of associating with other Muslims on a collective  basis and of practicing their religion as citizens are. Not only this, but they have had little Islamic education. Furthermore, they integrated themselves totally with the Western culture. Hence, they have tried and are still trying to enforce strange ideas and systems in the Muslim world.

There are good potentials of Muslim efforts here and there, but there is a lack of organization, and there is a gap in our efforts. Our job is to eliminate this gap and to

effect the learning, strengthen our fraternal bonds, and to understand our problems in the Muslim world. As long as we are sincere, devoted, faithful, as long as there is mutual understanding and cooperation, as long as there is an effort from all of us to improve the situations, the hope will be reality. That hope is in you! Yes, the hope of uniting the Muslim world in you! Indeed, it is in the hands of young and intellectual Muslims like you to prove not only to the Muslim world, but to the entire world.

"Our Lord! Grant us mercy from Thee and provide for us a right course in our affairs."(18:10)

Unity through DiversityOpening the doors of understandingBy Syed Haque

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Shown above, the Blue Mosque in Turkey showcases the height of Muslim power through unity during the Ottoman Empire

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Allah SWT revealed more than one thousand verses of scientific statements in the Holy Quran to complete the religion Islam. These verses if we apply to all of the religions of the time, we can see clearly the singularity of the Holy Quran and of the teachings of the Holy prophet (pbuh) as the only source of divine guidance that has been kept intact without slightest addition or deletion of any word or sentence.

The word "earthquake" is mentioned twice in the Holy Qur'an, indicating the ultimate hour of tremor which is much more devastating than all the earthquakes that have affected and will affect our planet throughout its long history. This is a reminder concerning that will occur in future. Generally the earthquakes most often manifest themselves by a shaking of the ground. Most earthquakes are tectonic and occur when the frictional stress of gliding plate boundaries exceeds a certain value and causes a failure at a fault line, which results in a violent displacement of the Earth’s crust. At this point, elastic energy is released and elastic waves are radiated, leading to an earthquake. Let us try to understand the severity of the earthquake in the light of modern science and technology. Allah SWT said in the following two verses,

  “O mankind, save yourselves from the wrath of your Lord: the fact is that the earthquake of the Resurrection is a terrible thing”.(Al-Hajj, Chapter 22, Verse #1). When the earth is shaken with its (ultimate) earthquake. When the earth throws out its burdens. When man will say: what is the matter with it? (“Az-Zalzalah” Chapter 99, Verse #1-3.

The word “zalzalah” means to shake violently over and over again. Thus, the earth will be shaken violently, meaning that the entire earth will be shaken and not a limited portion of it. This earthquake will be a preface to Resurrection. This will probably take place when the

heaven (sky) will split asunder and mountains will be carried away as dust (Chapter #77 and Verse # 8 and # 9). Interestingly it means that “When the heaven(sky) will split asunder": when the system and discipline of the first heaven under which the solar system with all planets is established and moving in its orbit and everything in the universe is adhering to the bounds set for it obeying the laws of nature will be disrupted. Also Allah SWT said, the earth will be spread out: when the oceans and rivers will be filled up, the mountains will be crushed to pieces and be scattered away, and the earth will be leveled and turned into a smooth plain (Surah Ta Ha, Chapter 20, Verse #106-107). He will turn the earth into an empty level plain, wherein people will neither see any undulation. Moreover, the incident that a great sphere like earth will vibrate tremendously is a specific proof of the fact that Resurrection of which we are being forewarned will take place. Obviously the orbits of the sun and the planets and moon also will change and the whole system of the first heaven also will be disturbed. There is nothing eternal and everlasting and stable here so that Resurrection will be improbable. These are in agreement what Allah SWT said.

Let us study these facts according to science, as we know the earth weighs approximately 6x10 21 tons. The Earth and other planets, and stars are spherical because the spherical shape is the lowest energy state that a group of matter can be in. The speed of the Earth's rotation can be thought of in two ways - the angular speed and the linear speed of a point on the surface. Expressing the angular speed, Omega= 0.00007272 radians/second and the linear velocity on the surface V is: omega * R = 0.00007272 * 3822 = 0.278 miles/second = about 1000 miles/hour (Surprisingly fast!). With this high speed of 1000 mph and heavy mass of 6*1021 tons, the earth which has been rotating at its own axis and also moving around the sun at a speed of 66,700 miles/hour approximately 4x speed of a

Scientific Explanation of Earthquakesusing the Holy QuranBy Dr. Md. Nurul Amin

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Earthquake effectsThe astounding effects of earthquakes can be seen all over the world

Fig. 1: Buildings collapsing Fig. 2: Damaged bridge piers Fig. 3: Cracks on ground from seismic activity on Richter scale of 7.0

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NASA Space Shuttle will vibrate tremendously without mountains. The vibration of this earth is prevented by the mountains (Surah Nahl, Chapter 16, Verse #15) as we can see the vibration of a tall chimney due to high wind velocity is damped by the use of an additional mass such as a tuned mass damper. In the day of resurrection when there will not be any mountains the earthquake will be severe as Allah SWT mentioned in the Holy Quran. With that dynamic excitation no structure on the earth surface could respond under such unpredicted loads and intensities to dissipate energy hysteretically while undergoing large inelastic deformations.

Despite the fact that geologists understand the mechanism by which earthquakes can take place, they are losing faith in their ability to predict such disasters. Quran emphasizes the fact that nothing happens in the universe without the knowledge (Chapter #3, Verse #5), will and wisdom of the Creator. Earthquakes - like many other natural disasters - are part and parcel of the Divine plan. Understanding the mechanisms by which earthquakes take place and measuring both their intensities and magnitudes cannot help in their prediction. The only way of avoiding this and other disasters is heeding the Creator and living according to His guidance and avoid His displeasure as much as possible.

Indeed, the attempt to understand the mechanisms by which an earthquake takes place and the different types of seismic waves accompanying them, to classify earthquakes and to produce schemes for measuring both their intensities and magnitudes is a wonderful exercise. And what are more wonderful are the procedures of trying to predict earthquakes, and the necessary precautions taken during and after the earthquake in order to avoid or minimize its dangers wherever possible.

According to current theories the earthquakes occur in certain belts or earthquakes-prone zones. These are concentrated where two tectonic plates collide, diverge or slip past each other. During the movement of lithospheric plates continent-size slabs of the earth's lithosphere are shifted and intense forces overcome the friction between them. However, if the plates are "locked together", forces build-up and eventually must give way, with the plates lurching into new position and creating an earthquake.

Other earthquakes form is in association with volcanic activity, where the build-up of heat and pressure often triggers smaller tremors and localized earthquakes. Most earthquake centres occur at a depth of about 100 Km. below the earth's surface, while some have much

shallower and others have much deeper foci, but none is deeper than 700 Km. below the earth's surface. While seismologists have long been skeptical about the ability to foretell earthquakes, Japan was busy for more than 3 decades to develop its earthquake prediction system and has invested about US $1.4 billion in prediction research and technologies that have been torn to pieces by the 20 seconds duration of the Kobe earthquake in 1995.Similarly, the Indonesian 8.9 Richter Tsunami of 26/12/2004 cause by vertical movement of seafloor generated a seismic wave speeds of 600 to 800km/hr devastated 12 countries in South Asia could not be predicted. Again, the 8/10/2005 Kashmir Major earthquake of 7.6 Richter was also not predicted.

The record of earthquakes proves the sudden, non–linear nature of these disasters that took the lives of millions of individuals throughout history, injured several other millions, made billions of people homeless and caused material losses of endless values. These tragedies cannot be the work of the mechanical processes of the earth, but need a designer, and the designer is the Creator Himself.

Forecasting, using sophisticated meters and gauges to detect potential precursors, like tremors, fault strains, changes in earth's crust, detection of radon and other peculiar gases and sudden group migration of animals, etc. are being used wherever possible. However, reliance on heeding the Creator, following His guidance, ordering what is good and forbidding what is bad is the only security against natural disasters. We have to abide by the divide rules as set forth in the Holy Quran by reciting with its full inherent meaning. We are very weak and so He has given us the warning to follow His messenger Muhammad (pbuh) and His Quran as guidance. Quran is not a science however, what Allah SWT said in the Quran are meaningful and are not contradictory to the explanation available today with the help of modern science. This is why Islam has always been at peace with science and actively encourages scientific endeavors. Thus Quran shows humanity the proper way to attain guidance and to call people towards it.

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Fig. 4: The devastating earthquake in Sichuan, China that claimed 80,000 lives

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0 Angel on EarthBy Maahirah Salie

M y d r e a m p h a n t o m s w e r e advancing, forcing me to step closer to the edge of the cliff. Malicious eyes stared back at my horror-stricken face. They pounced in unison, my scream echoing uselessly off the mountain walls. Strong arms cradled me as I fought for escape. My mother’s soothing voice surrounded me like a blanket, bringing comfort and warmth. Her slow song filled me with safety, and I drifted out of consciousness once again.

Some say heaven is under your mother’s feet. I used to sleep at night, only to wake up hours later screaming from nightmares. My mother’s arms were my heaven. Her voice washed away all the evils that haunted me, and peace claimed me. Many times, we take for granted what we have, and complain about what we do not have. I know I can never repay my mother for all she has given me or for her labor pains. She has planted a seed of love in my heart, that remains forever, blooming eventually but with its roots still tied to my mother.

MotherThe comforting solace of our souls...

 My mother’s unbounded energy and spirit of adventure has taken us throughout Michigan, from Muskegon to Mackinac Island. Together, we have explored the many wonders  Michigan beholds, ranging from the Sleeping Bear Dunes to the breathtaking view of Tahquamenon Falls. These moments with my mother are carved into my heart for eternity. It is difficult to imagine a life without my mother there for comfort, help, or love. A mother’s death can bring the strongest man down. I feel a mother is never dead. Her memories surround me, her kisses cling to me, and her hugs never end. I will never be abandoned, for her love is everlasting.       The proverbial angel with wings full of white light are said to bring us good fortune. The wings of my mother carry me out of trouble, the light is her love and guidance, and her smile is warm and comforting. As Abraham Lincoln said “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.” My mother’s love sustains me, and when everything else fails, I know she will be there, waiting, with open arms. My mother is my savior from God.

Community NewsWhatʼs happening?By Editorial Board

Eid CelebrationA M D A h o s t e d t w o E i d

celebrations this past year. Eid-ul-Fitr was held on Sunday, Sept. 20th, 2009 at AMDA’s Sterling Heights location. Eid-ul-Adha has held on Thursday, November 26th, 2009. Due to a large crowd two prayer jamaats were held. Approximately 300 people were present for these prayers. Snacks were brought by community members after the prayer. There was also a potluck dinner, composed of cultural foods from the community, in the evening.

Fundraising DinnerAMDA also hosted a fundraising

dinner at Blossom Community Center

in Troy (Big Beaver Rd.) on Friday, September 11th, 2009. Over 100 families from around Metro Detroit were present. Presentations about AMDA’s vision and future goals were c o nveye d . I m a m A b d u l L a t i f conducted the successful fundraising drive, especially with his inspirational speech. The event raised a significant amount of money for a permanent Islamic center.

For the past several months, AMDA board and communi ty members have been working diligently to secure a permanent place where the members can congregate for prayer, religious duties, and community d e v e l o p m e n t a c t i v i t i e s . T h e community is striving to secure multiple sources of funding, and is asking all members from the Muslim community at large to exert their best efforts to achieve our shared goals of establishing a center for fostering an Islamic environment,

Family Picnic 2009Parents and kids play (and work) together in crossing the field.

It’s fun events like these that keeps AMDA engaging and prosperous, Inshallah.

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and help our future generations to adhere to their roots.

Monthly Tafseerul Quran

October’s meeting hosted a Townhall meeting, with discussions of AMDA land acquisition and/or construction. Additionally, members discussed operational issues about AMDA, and possible improvements.

November’s meeting consisted of a lecture by Imam Salie about how to perform the rituals of Hajj. Community members that were performing this blessed journey benefited greatly from this enlightening discussion. This also served as an inspiration to the rest of the community who are contemplating about performing Hajj in the future.

December’s discussion consisted of the positive impacts in our lives after performing Hajj. Imam Abdul Latif also informed the community about the tragic event related to Imam Luqman Abdullah in Detroit.

January’s meeting was devoted to AMDA’s youth. They presented vision of forming a AMDA youth organization, where they could perform volunteer work that would help advocate for AMDA and Islam. It will also provide peer support among the youth, and collectively discuss and overcome the challenges they continually face. They plan on forming halaqas, discussing pertinent issues about Islam and youth.

Youth venturing off into the University worldTasneem Azim: She graduated from Athens High

School in 2009, and is currently attending Wayne State University, where she is pursuing a Pre-med track. She excelled in academics, maintaing a 4.0 GPA while being in extra-curricular and volunteer activities. She is a recipient of Wayne State University’s Presidential Full Scholarship.

Nashita Molla: She graduated from Athens High School in 2009, and is currently attending Wayne State University, where she is pursuing a Pre-med track. She excelled in academics, while being in extra-curricular and volunteer activities. She is a recipient of Wayne State University’s Presidential Full Scholarship.

Nahid Rashid: She graduated from Athens High School in 2009, and is currently attending the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where is pursuing a Pre-med track. She also excelled in academics, maintaining a 4.0 GPA while being involved in extra-curricular activities.

Entrepreneurial venturesMd. Shahnoor Amin: As co-founder of June

Energy, Shahnoor leads the company in designing portable energy solutions for developing countries. The company recently won the Alternative Energy Competition, 1000 Pitches contest, and Dare to Dream grant. It was featured on cover of LEAD magazine and the Detroit Auto Show. Shahnoor is currently a graduate engineering student at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

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...continued from page 1AMDA’s own formation was an exciting entrepreneurial venture in its own way. The founders had a lustrous vision, raised money, and brought the community together to pursue their positive passions. But the whole experience is a journey.Our religion and this country share one thing: it was formed by businessmen. Much of the eastern world became cognizant about Islam by seeing the impeccable character of Arab traders. Muslims invented the wind turbine and also dominated the oil industry. Let us now regain our former glory by being business leaders who are financially independent, and able to donate our time and money to furthering great causes and being Muslim examples in today’s modern world.

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0 Imam’s Spotlight continued from pg. 12Pressing the Islamic button of course is a convenient cover up for many civil and earth rights violations by multi nationals and politicians against European nations. Imagined and manufactured issues of terror in the news covers up the corruption of politicians and corporations. The myth of a Christian Europe helps in the cover up. Europe has a rich Islamic and Jewish history. The three faiths lived side by side for centuries even in crisis situations. The three faiths often fought under the same flag, sharing the same jokes.The new Australian government benefits from US policies related to Muslims. Thousands of students from Muslim countries study in Australia and New Zealand. Muslim academics and diplomats travel with ease to Australia and New Zealand. The PWR attracted some of the best minds of our age. Tariq Ramadan, who cannot travel to the US, was the keynote speaker at the PWR. Hans Kuhn, the Catholic theologian, was another intellectual giant. Muslim participants from all over the world were invited in the evenings by national organizations. This afforded us the opportunity to meet great scholars and activists from around the globe. Anwar Ibrahim spoke on several occasions.The Australian government helps Muslims with grants to build Islamic Schools and assisted living homes. One mosque in Melbourne obtained 2.5 million to build an assisted living place for Muslims. Schools receive 70% funds to build new buildings. A Turkish group connected to the Gulen movement started a school within a week. Ibrahim Dallal inspired 25 persons to work for three days and nights to meet the city’s requirements to open a school. Dallal called the effort “Three days and nights with the angels”. Achieving the impossible within three days was truly miraculous.Australia has some of the most beautiful mosques in the world. The mosques in Sydney are especially beautiful and immaculate. Some mosques were former churches that retain the name of the original community. I saw more than one St Mary mosque in Australia. Almost half the Muslim population lives in Sydney. The Turks have some of the most beautiful and cleanest centers I have seen. I have met some of the most generous and humble Turkish Muslims in Melbourne. Islam in Australia has a promising future if the governments maintain their current respect for Islam.I thoroughly enjoyed the many discussion session at the PWR. Some of these sessions were very lively-perhaps too lively for some people’s liking. Many of the topics covered at the PWR were quite bold. The PWR takes pride in the fact that they addressed the Ecological Crisis long before it became politically correct to do so. I liked the session on Blogistan; three young American professors who reach an audience of 30 million through their blogs. One of them effectively countered anti-Muslim bigotry at a New York university within 24 hours. A business professor commented on the Ft Hood shooting that any Muslim could potentially snap. When General Russell snapped a few months before the Ft Hood shooting, his religion was not mentioned. Our Muslim blogger who teaches at the same university contacted the dean of the Business school; the dean claimed that the young professor could not read. The dean was equally dismissive to other faculty and students who enquired about the provocative statement of the business school professor. Professors from across the nation responded within six hours when the Muslim professor blogged about the incident. Many professors from Ivy League schools expressed their disgust at the unprofessional behavior of the dean and his faculty member. Donors in Abu Dhabi got word of the situation. They contacted the president and provost of the university. Within 24 hours, the dean apologized and was sent on a ‘sabbatical’ to China. Muslims in the US have much to offer Muslims in Australia. Almost every major university in the US offers Arabic and Islamic Studies. We have many great conferences on Islam taking place on US soil or organized by Americans overseas.The Muslim community in Australia is 300,000 strong. Afghan cameleers were brought to Australia more than 100 years ago. In Perth, one of the oldest mosques was established to accommodate the Afghans. I have learnt that Malay Muslim traders from Malacca traded with the aboriginal people in northwestern Australia for several centuries. The Muslim traders did not invade the country or eliminate the natives.I delivered lectures at mosques, lecturettes at Islamic Schools, a presentation at the University of Western Australia, and a lecture to South Africans in Auckland. The Maori tradition and history is impressive and very rich. Friends in New Zealand wanted me to see Maori charity in action. Others complained that an attitude of entitlement has demoralized many Maoris who live in areas of high crime.The Pacific Rim countries celebrated the 50th year of “No War”. After WWII, they vowed to avoid war between nations at all cost. Unfortunately, they did not avoid very bloody internal wars. We could all benefit from Policies of Peace as well as a policy of openness to all Muslim academics. We cannot be at peace if we are in pieces. Nations need to heal themselves before they offer peace and engage in diplomacy. I did not experience any religious profiling at Australian airports. I will repeat a visit to Australia whenever the opportunity presents itself.

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AMDA is now one of the charitable organizations participating in the Charity Motors, Inc. car donation program.  You can donate a vehicle you no longer want/need, receive a tax deduction, and designate AMDA to receive the proceeds from the sale of your vehicle.  If you are interested in participating in this program, please call Charity Motors, Inc. at  (888) 908-CARS and designate "American Muslim Diversity Association" as your charity.  Once you have completed this please let us know by sending email to car.donation@amda.us so that we can make sure your donation dollar reaches us.

LAKE CITY HOME HEALTH CAREMedicare Certified Agency

•High Quality Skilled Nursing Care•Experienced Staff with 10+ years•Compassionate Physical & Occupational Therapists•Punctual Doctor-Nurse/Agency Communication•Quality Care, Communication, & Compassion = Lake CityPhone: 734-254-0002Fax: 734-254-0004Toll Free: 1-877-23-LCHHCwww.LakeCityHHC.com

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Advertise your business! Please contact newsletter@amda.us for details.

Advertise your business! Please contact newsletter@amda.us for details.

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Imam’s SpotlightMy trip to Australia & New ZealandBy Imam Dr. Achmat Salie

After much hesitation, I decided to travel as ambassador to the Parliament of World Religions (PWR) held in Melbourne, Australia in December 2009. I have never traveled that far. I also did not know what to expect. The PWR takes place every five years. I helped IDASA plan the one in Cape Town in 1999 and then participated in the PWR in Barcelona in Spain in 2004. I included a visit to Perth, Sydney, and Auckland to connect with other Muslim communities and Islamic Studies programs.

The PWR appointed Abdul Malik Mujahid as its new head. Of the 8,000 attendees, more than 300 Muslims were full participants; Jumu’ah at the conference was held in a large hall. A few more hundreds from Melbourne briefly visited the week-long conference at the newly-completed convention center along the river. More than 150 of the 500 sessions at the PWR had an Islamic theme or a Muslim panelist. I participated in a panel on global ethics. Soon I’ll join the global ethics advisory board based in Geneva. A journalist for an Austrian television network who attended our session interviewed me the next day about the mosque minaret controversy in Switzerland. The proverbially tolerant Swiss could not escape the anti-Islamic hysteria in parts of Europe. cont. on pg. 10

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AussieShown left, the beautiful City Mosque of Melbourne, Australia is a testament of harmonious Muslim relationships with others.

THEAMDAHORIZONAMDA5530 SHALE DR.TROY, MI 48085USAPhone: 248-686-2173

Semi-Annual FundraisingFriday, April 3rd, 2010, 7 PMLocation: Blossom Community Center1451 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, MI 48083

Quarterly Salat Timings

AMDA Key EventsAdopt-a-Road Program,Sunday, April 11th, 2010, 11AMLocation: Meet at 7-11 store (corner of Long Lake Rd. and John R. Rd.)visit www.amda.us for more details